Vehicle-axle bearing.



' l M. www2. Patented Fab. 12,1901.'

' A. D..BLUCH.

vEHlcLE AxLE BEARING.

(Application led Nov. 20, 1900.) (M0 Mmmm.)

J Imizor dialoga/ ma.

gam

TN: uanms PETERS capPHoTaLnno.. wAsmnsrnN. u. c

drames ADOLPH D. BLOCH, QF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

lEl-iiCLlwlltLE BEARING.

,SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,082, dated February12, 1901 Application 'filed November 20, 1900. Serial No. 37,146. (Nomodelo To r/,ZZ whom. 'ift ntf/,y concern:

Be it known that l, ADOLPH D. BLOCH, a citizen of the United States,residing` at Mobile, in the county ot' Mobile and State of Alabama, haveinvented new and useful Improvemen ts in Vehicle Axle Bearings, of whichthe following is a specilicatiou.

This invention relates to vehicle-axle bearings, and is in The nature ofan improvement on the axle-bearing Vfor which l obtained Letters Patentof the United States on the th day oi April, 1900, No. 647,368.

The present invention has for its objects to increase the strength andel'fect an economy in the manufacture of the bearing and to improve andsimplify the same generally.

To these ends my invention consists in the features and in theconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter described, andparticularly pointed oui. in the claims following the description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspeciiica'tion, wherein- Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectionalview of my improved bearing, the parts being shown assembled together inoperative position. Fig. 2 is a detail yiew of the axlespindle. Fig. 3is a similar View of the sleeve. Fig. i is a similar View of thebushing, and 5 is a similar view of the axlebox.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a metallic axlereduced at its end to form a spindle As shown, the spindle is taperedthroughoutthat is to say, it gradually diminishes in diameter from itsinner toward its outer end. The end of the axle next adjacent to thespindle is formed with an annular collar 5, which is threaded on itsperiphery, as at 4.. 'llhe outer end of the collar instead ofterminatilig abruptly or at a right angle to the spindle, as shown in mysaid patent, gradually merges into the spindie, or, in other words, theinner end of the spindle is formed with a concave conical enlargement 5intermediate the collar 3 and the uniformly-tapered portion of thespindle. This is for the purpose of adding strength to 'the spindle, andthe latter is not so apt to break off at this point as is the spindleconstructed in the manner illustrated in my patent before referred to.The extreme outer end of the spindle is reduced and threaded, as at G,to receive an axle-n ut 7, as usual.

The numeral S indicates a sleeve consisting of a relatively thin tubularshell of approximately the same length as the spindle 2 and tapered fromend to end to correspond with the tapered form of said spindle. Theinner end of the sleeve is formed with a concavo-convex conicalenlargement 9,which terminates in an annular flange 10, interiorlyscrew-threaded, as at 11. The interior of the sleeve 8 corresponds inshape to the exterior of the spindle 2, and the annular liange screwsover the collar 3, the arrangement being such that when the two areconnected together the sleeve snugly, closely, and accurately fits thespindle at every point, the two forming practically a solid spindle. Asshown, the exterior of the spindle and both the' interior and exteriorof the sleeve are perfectly smooth.

Adapted to be inserted in an ordinary wheel-hub is an axle-boxconsisting of a cy lindrical shell l2, having formed on its inner end acylindrical enlargement or annular flange 13. On the periphery of theinner end of the box are formed longitudinal ribs or feathers le, asusual, which when the box is driven into the hub tightly hold the boxagainst turning in the hub. Adapted to loe inserted in the box is abushing comprising a tapered tubular shell 15, having formed on itsinner end a concave-convex conical enlargement 16, that terminates in acylindrical enlargement or annular ange 17, screwthreaded exteriorly, asat 18. The interior of the bushing corresponds in shape to the exteriorof the sleeve 8, on which it is adapted to be rotatably fitted, and theinterior of the box is shaped to conform to the exterior of the bushing,the two being firmly secured together by screwing the I iange orcylindrical enlargement 18 into the corresponding flange or enlargement13 of the axle-box, which is internally threaded for the purpose. Thesleeve 8 has a hole 19 formed in its periphery for the reception of theend of a Spanner, by means of which the sleeve may be screwed on and oftthe spindle, and the iange 17 of the bushing has formed in its end twonicks or recesses 2O for the same purpose. Both the interior andexterior of the bushing are IOC nished off true and smooth to it theexterior of the sleeve and the interior'of the axle-box.

After all the parts have been assembled together in the manner abovedescribed it is only necessary -to slip the bushing upon the sleeve andthen screw a nut 21 over the reduced and threaded end 6 of the spindleto secure the wheel in place on the axle.

It will be evident that all the friction and Wear will be on the sleeveand bushing, there being none Whatever on either the spindle or the box.Hence the latter Will last indefinitely and Will need no renewing orrepairing, and

the spindle and box may therefore, if pre! ferred, be made of cast-ironand the sleeve and bushingof steel. When the sleeve and bushing becomeworn and unfit or undesirable for further use, it is only necessary toremove the vehicle-Wheel from the axle, then unscrew the sleeve from thespindle and the bushing from the box, and screw in their place a newsleeve and bushing. As the spindle and sleeve and the box and liningaren perfectly smooth, the annular flanges or. cylindrical enlargementsonly'being threaded, the parts may be unscrewed and screwed togetheragain With ease and despatch, the entire operation requiring but a fewminutes of time and no skilled labor.

In practice the screw-threads should be formed right-handed, so as tokeep the parts screwed up to their places when in use on a vehicle. Itwill be manifest that the sleeve and bushing, -as well as the axle andbox, can be made of any desired length, size, shape, and pitch and canbe made with single or double collars. The invention can also be appliedto any make of axle.

Having described my invention what I claim is- 1. The combination withan axle-spindle provided at its inner end with an integral annularcollarscrew-threaded upon its periphery, said spindle being tapered and smoothupon its periphery and provided at its inner end intermediate itsuniformly-tapered portion and said collar with a concave conicalenlargement, of an axle-sleeve provided at its inner end with acylindrical and interiorlythreaded enlargement screwed over the saidthreaded collar, said sleeve having a smooth Vtapered interior andexterior and shaped to accurately fit the spindle, substantially asdescribed. y

2. The combination with an axle-box havin'g an in teriorly-threadedcylindrical enlarge ment at one end and provided externally with meansfor securing the box in a hub, said box having a smooth tapered interiorof a tapered bushing provided with an exteriorly-threaded cylindricalenlargement at its inner end, said bushing being finished smooth on bothits interior and exterior and provided at its inner end intermediate itsuniformly-tapered portion and the said cylindrical enlargement with aconcavo-convex conical enlargement, said bushing and box being securedtogether by the said threaded cylindrical enlargement, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ADOLPI-I D. BLOCH.

Witnesses:

OSCAR K. HEWITT, W. H. ANDREWS, Jr.

